Robert Knable, PWS joins H&C team
Mr. Knable, an Environmental Scientist with a specialty in wetlands, riparian areas, and natural resources, has joined the multi-disciplinary team at H&C as a Senior Environmental Scientist. 
He brings more than 20 years experience of environmental solutions offered to the public and private sectors.
His expertise includes natural resource inventories and mapping, wetland and riparian delineation, mitigation and restoration designs, baseline studies, monitoring programs, watershed analysis, biological assessments, environmental and natural resource planning, habitat mitigation and baseline studies, water quality monitoring, watershed planning, floodplain management, environmental assessments, and conflict resolution related to environmental/land use disputes. He also has considerable experience in wetlands ecology, delineation protocols, and hydric soils, managing multidisciplinary teams, designing and executing wetlands research, mapping, creation, and monitoring programs.
Mr. Knable is one of only four Professional Wetland Scientists (PWS) in Nevada certified through the Society of Wetland Scientists. Additional accomplishments he brings to the table include the development and management of a comprehensive wetland mapping program for the City of Seattle which is still being used as a model by federal agencies today.
“The maps we were using were not up to date, so I took it upon myself to make it more detailed, enabling us to know exactly where the wetlands were and expedite development while protecting these critical areas,” said Mr. Knable. ”It was a win-win. Knowing where they were in the first place helped us protect them and helped developers know how the wetlands would impact their projects.”
Mr. Knable worked in cooperation with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to inventory wetlands by size, Cowardin classification, and Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) designation. The study involved review of historical maps, digital aerial ortho-photos, color infrared aerial photography, Light Distance and Ranging (LIDAR) data, field surveys, and delineation reports to update the wetlands coverage for the City. The data is now housed, maintained, and updated by both the City of Seattle and the USFWS, National Wetlands Inventory Program. In addtion, the USFWS is using the City’s approach and Robert’s model as a template for other urban areas within the United States.
He was the lead planner developing the Padilla Bay/Bayview Watershed Action Plan in Washington state to address nonpoint pollution in Padilla Bay, an Estaurine Research Reserve. He facilitiated a diverse consensus-based management committee, conducted resource inventories and assessments, including water quality monitoring, stream surveys, mapping, and aerial photo interpretation; prepared planning documents, technical papers, and funding proposals, and presented information to committees, the general public and elected officials on resource conditions and issues.
Mr. Knable has experience in advising and assisting communities in developing and implementing floodplain management programs, and coordination of the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program. He has experience in conducting and presenting planning studies and programs to local jurisdictions, homeowners, and the general public. He has provided technical assistance to local communities in the areas of wetlands, riparian habitat, water resources planning, floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, and preparing and reviewing plannning documents.
He has served on technical advisory boards for development of environmental policies, wetland best available science, and agricultural preservation. He has provided testimony as an expert witness in environmental cases involving wetlands, shorelines, riparian areas, and fish and wildlife habitat related to land use development. He designed and co-taught with NRCS staff a short course on hydric soils for consultants and agency staff. Mr. Knable has presented papers at international and regional conferences.
Mr. Knable is a member of the Society of Wetlands Scientists, the Association of State Wetland Managers as well as the Environmental Assessment Association.
Robert relocated to Nevada, with his wife, Denise and their four children. He says he’s excited about getting back to work on wetland restoration projects, particularly the design phase.
Nevada has presented a unique set of environmental challenges for Mr. Knable, who was surprised at just how many wetlands there are in this arid state. “I was blown away by how dramatic the area is, with few transition zones between the stark, arid lowland areas and the richer vegetative areas of the Sierra Nevada.”
H&C feels that Robert Knable will be a rich addition to their family of environmental scientists, and is pleased to be able to offer his skill and expertise to their diverse client base.
